Just Ask Amber

I want to start a new post type (in lieu of the stupid fact that it's not possible to leave comments on this blog) called Just Ask Amber in hopes that I can answer some of the questions you "brides-to-be" or even "I just wish I was a bride-to-be" might have (and including those soon-to-be-grooms too--maybe I'll make my fiancee write, lol). Since I plan events for a living, I am always learning things, but then I forget that what I may think is a no-brainer, might be a useful tip for so many of you out there.

If you have a question, and yes it can be on anything (flowers, decor, budgets, or even things non-wedding like houses and finances, etc.), please email me at triedandtrueweddings@gmail.com with Just Ask Amber in the Subject line. There are no stupid questions and I guarantee that if you have a question, likely someone else out there is wondering the same thing. I'll make sure to post the question and my answer up on the blog immediately (or at least as soon to immediately as is possible when your life is as crazy as mine). But I can't do this without you! I need your questions!!

So please don't let me down. I'm sure there are many of you viewers out there wondering about something. And I can't wait to try and help you out.

Have a Terrific Tuesday!
~A

My Wedding in Real Time: Engagement Pics are Up!

Before you run to her site to check out the other photos that are up, I'll let you know the final details about our engagement picture shoot. The pictures were taken at Gas Works Park in Seattle...this old oil plant which has been turned into a park. There are so many amazing and unique spots here (fabulous for photography)...including a sundial, a huge green "kite" hill, an old barn, lots of huge colored pipes, and more. I would recommend the spot for any couple looking for a unique picture venue, and I'm so happy Jamie found it and recommended it.

Oh and the umbrellas, as mentioned in previous posts, were rented from the nearby Bella Umbrella.

Finally, we love how Jamie was able to catch the playfulness of our relationship. We're both kind of dorky (see the picture of G with his tongue sticking out). She also got my seriousness (I wish I would have smiled a bit more in the photos), and when we finally get pictures of us in our Duck and Beaver shirts, you'll see our competitive nature too.

We are super happy about our photos. Thank you Jamie (of Jamie Hammond Photography)!

Coronado Pre-Wedding: Brenda & Branlund

Since my mother got engaged (and even beforehand) I have been coordinating her wedding. I have gone to every meeting with the vendors, designed everything from the save-the-dates to the weekend itinerary, done every task she needed, answered every question, etc. I think you get the point. And with my mom, I don't get to take any time off. So I was super happy when the wedding day came and went off without a hitch (or at least not one that a guest could notice). Today I share some of the pictures and details from right before the wedding with you, and hope you enjoy it. See this previous post for information on the flowers and other pre-wedding details not featured here.

Bride and Groom: Brenda & Branlund
Location: Coronado, California
Venue: Hotel Del Coronado, South Beach
Photographer: Paul Barnett Photography (out of San Diego)

I apologize, these two pictures were taken on my camera because my mom chose to pay for only two hours of photography. They arrived shortly afterward. This is a picture of my sister Ashley and I putting her in the dress. FYI her dress (and our bridesmaid dresses and all of our shoes) came from David's Bridal.

Here we are, handling all of the last-minute details. I tied my great grandmother's wedding ring to my mom's bouquet right before pictures. Melinda helped the boys pin on their boutonierres, Danae touched up Alli's hair, and we tried to prepare my mom for getting married.


Branlund is quite the crier and as soon as he saw her, guess what he did?!?! Cried! She kept telling him to stop..but he couldn't.


Pictures of the bride and groom...


Of course there were plenty of family pictures...


When she originally talked to the officiant, my mother swore she wasn't changing her name...but at the last minute she did!


A picture of the bride and groom in the garden of the Hotel Del Coronado, about to walk down the aisle in just minutes.


Yes I took the opportunity to grab a quick pic of me and my fiancee. He was looking super handsome!


My grandpa loved taking pictures of everyone and he kept getting in the way of the photographer. So they finally took a picture with him included. I love the look of it!


Right before we went to walk out to the beach for the ceremony, my mother grabbed me and my sisters for a quick hug and good wishes as we now went from a "girls only" unit to a family of 8!


I hope you enjoyed the photos. Stay tuned for more of the actual ceremony and reception.

Rowell Photography: Tara and Duane

News for everyone: my mom just got her photos back from the wedding in San Diego, so I'll be posting those in the next few days. Keep an eye out!!

Until then, I have another fabulous wedding to share with you! Rowell Photography, based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada is a frequent supplier of amazing photos for my blog. To remind any newer viewers, I found them through my friend Meredith, who had them shoot her wedding in the Dominican Republic...and the pictures were amazing! Erika and Ryan are known for their amazing talent and the pictures to prove it.

Today they supplemented me with photos from one of their recent weddings. Erika says it was a total DIY wedding, with the bride doing her own flowers, ordering her own dress online,
decorating the venue, etc. I don't know why she'd need to DIY, because looking at her ring I
don't think they needed to budget, lol, but if she's anything like me, maybe she couldn't help it. Oh and the amazing ballerina picture (which I wish I had on my own wall) is a picture she loved at an antique shop that Duane went back and bought for her. How sweet!

Bride and Groom: Tara and Duane
Venue: Inn at the Falls
Location: Muskoka's Bracebridge (Canada)
Photographers: Erika and Ryan Rowell of Rowell Photography



If you want to see more from this wedding or more of Rowell Photography, visit their site/blog here! And if you end up using them as your photographer, let them know you found them on Tried and True. Thanks!

Shanna and Casey

If you follow the blog regularly, you probably remember me talking about a wedding I coordinated recently for Shanna and Casey. I grew up with Shanna's brother Trent and was friends with her friend Kristin, so when Shanna needed help Kristin suggested me. I was so happy to help (and Kristin was my assistant--she rocked)! However when they asked me, it was about three weeks before the wedding, so there were a lot of missing pieces to fill in and schedule gaps to figure out, but we managed it all just in time....and I think it was a learning experience for all of us.

I honestly had so much fun working with Shanna, Casey, all of their family and friends, and even their vendors at this wedding. Everyone was just the epitome of sweetness. Bryan and Leah Rupp of Bryan Rupp Photography took these pictures, and I must say that not only are they amazing photographers but amazing people. You can't find a better husband and wife duo for your photos out there!

The wedding took place at Willamette University's Cone Chapel (in Salem, OR) and the reception was held at Green Villa Barn right down the road from my house in Independence. Florals were done by Valley Naturals Floral Creations (or as I know her, Milodie's mom--a friend of mine from HS) and the large red dahlias Shanna used throughout the wedding were so gorgeous--a perfect combination with her bridesmaids' navy dresses.

Thank you Shanna and Casey for trusting me with the ability to run your wedding day, and for being a great example of what true love looks like. I wish you both the best!